What to See in Grodno and Nearby

Walk

Gilibert Park

Grodno's oldest park, named after the French botanist Jean-Emmanuel Gilibert, who laid out a botanical garden here in the 18th century. It has a Ferris wheel and rides.

History

Old Castle

A castle on the high bank of the Neman, known as the residence of King Stefan Batory; part of the Grodno State Historical and Archaeological Museum. The castle hill overlooks the river and the city.

At weekends the museum may limit ticket sales because of queues.

Architecture

Farny Cathedral of St Francis Xavier and Sovetskaya Street

A former Jesuit Baroque church on Sovetskaya Square, now the Catholic cathedral. The pedestrian Sovetskaya Street with cafes and shops starts at the square.

Architecture

Kalozha Church of Sts Boris and Gleb

An active Orthodox church from the 12th century on the Neman bank, one of the few surviving examples of early Rus architecture; its walls are set with polished stones and ceramic tiles.

Nature

Pyshki forest park

A forest park on the high Neman bank in western Grodno, with walking trails and river views.

Architecture

Holy Protection Orthodox Cathedral

An early 20th-century Orthodox cathedral on Ozheshko Street, a few minutes from Zhilibera Park.

Museum

Pharmacy Museum

A working pharmacy with a museum display in the former Jesuit college building; its first written mention is dated 1687. On show are pharmacy vessels, books and instruments.

Architecture

Bernardine Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross

An active Catholic church of the former Bernardine monastery on the slope above the Neman, near the Drama Theatre.

History

Fort IV of the Grodno Fortress

One of the best-preserved forts of the early 20th-century Grodno Fortress, with concrete parapets, casemates and tunnels.

Unguarded ruins: bring a torch for the casemates and take care.

Architecture

Grodno Regional Drama Theatre

Founded in 1947, the theatre has used its modern building on the Neman near the castles since 1984; the main hall seats 702.

History

Sviatsk Palace of the Wolowicz family

An 18th-century palace and park of the Wolowicz family on the way to the Augustow Canal; restoration is ongoing, and a hotel and brewery restaurant operate on site.

Restoration continues: the central halls have been open since July 2026, part of the complex is closed.

Nature

Ozery eco trail

An eco trail in the Ozery national landscape reserve with a cluster of forest lakes; the farthest place on the list, about 40 km away.

Family

Grodno Zoo

The oldest zoo in Belarus, founded in 1927. The ticket includes the terrarium, aquarium and insectarium.

Family

Korobchitsy estate (Garadzenski Mayontak Karobchytsy)

Agritourism complex in Korobchitsy village, developed since 2001: a park of about 54 ha, stables, craft workshops and the Zamak Zevany restaurant. One of the closest places to the bathhouse, about 15 minutes by car.

Under reconstruction: in 2026 the park and the kids area were closed at times. Check the complex social media before going.

Family

Grodno Regional Puppet Theatre

A puppet theatre next to Zhilibera Park; travel sources describe it as the oldest puppet theatre in Belarus. Children's shows are mostly on weekend mornings and afternoons.

Architecture

Great Choral Synagogue

A large early 20th-century synagogue near the castles, gradually being restored; a small exhibition covers the history of Grodno's Jewish community.

The building is being restored; the doors are sometimes closed during opening hours.

History

New Castle

An 18th-century royal palace facing the Old Castle; it now houses exhibitions of the Historical and Archaeological Museum.

Nature

Rumlevo forest park

A city forest park on the Neman in the southern part of Grodno.

Museum

Grodno State Museum of the History of Religion

A museum in the former Chreptowicz palace on Zamkovaya Street, a few minutes' walk from the castles, covering the history of religions and denominations in the region.

Nature

Augustow Canal: Dombrovka lock and canal museum (also Nemnovo lock)

A 19th-century navigable canal linking the Vistula and Neman basins, 101.2 km long, 21.2 km of it in Belarus. The Belarusian section has three navigable locks (Nemnovo, Dombrovka, Volkushek); a canal history museum operates at Dombrovka and a boat runs in summer.

The boat from Dombrovka runs in summer only, the museum opens on weekdays by appointment. Bring a passport.